Flying into Beautiful San Diego

Do you need a break? Do you just want to unwind while enjoying fantastic weather and a change of lifestyle? Have you been California dreaming when you should have been working? Then get one of the many cheap flights to San Diego, California, where you will experience the sunshine and relaxed lifestyle that you have been dreaming of.

Getting a flight to San Diego is exceptionally easy, and it doesn’t take long to collect your luggage and be on your way. So board the plane and live the dream.

International Airport with Affordable Airfare

San Diego is home to a major international airport, and flights to San Diego International Airport (SAN) are easy to find. Once called Lindbergh Field Airport, SAN has become a hub for domestic and international travel. This is one of the busiest and most efficient airports in the country, and there are 57 direct flights from cities all over America, as well as from London and Tokyo.

Currently, 48,000 passengers use the airport on a daily basis. The airport is unique in that it has a single runway but three terminals catering to both arriving and departing passengers.

As there are so many carriers flying into SAN, you can find many deals to get you to your dream destination. As the airport is so close to the city, you will find that all services getting to and from the airport have been organized to allow you to experience the city and have that much needed relaxation time.

There are 71 airlines that operate out of SAN, and it is not difficult to find a bargain rate for your flight to San Diego. Every week, at least 5,474 domestic flights and 140 international flights depart from San Diego International Airport. Spirit Airlines offers non-stop flights from Las Vegas to San Diego for $85, so in just over an hour, you can go from desert to beach.

San Diego International Airport has designated terminals for different purposes. Terminal 1 is home to Alaska, Southwest, and United Airlines. Terminal 2 is the main terminal for all other domestic airlines, as well as the international flights, and Terminal 3 is the commuter terminal. For business people or people on a day-break, the commuter terminal handles the short flights that go to and from Los Angeles.

Getting from the Airport to the City

San Diego International Airport is located just three miles from downtown San Diego, and the airport has made it very easy to get in and out of the city.

Public transportation is available between the airport to downtown San Diego. You simply use the cities Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and take Route 992, which stops at Terminals 1 and 2, as well as the Commuter Terminal. This operates between 5:00 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., leaving every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends and holidays. This MTS stops at trolley, coaster, and Amtrak stations in the city, making it easy to reach your destination. The MTS has wheelchair accessibility.

The shuttle buses that are operated by different companies are also a popular and convenient way to get into the city. These shuttle services are available at the various Transportation Plazas in Terminals 1 and 2, and at the curbside of the Commuter Terminal. All shuttle companies are required to have an ADA-compliant vehicle for passengers with a disability.

You can rent a car at the airport, too, and most major car rental car companies operate from Terminals 1 and 2. Car rental desks are located near the baggage claim areas of Terminals 1 and 2. There are courtesy phones available to request shuttle transportation to the car rental company of your choice.

It is also easy to cycle into the city once you arrive. San Diego International Airport has bicycle lockers, which hold four bikes each. The lockers are free, but there is a refundable key deposit required to use them.

Time of Year to Fly and to Visit

The city is very popular in summer, so be aware that you may have to book your flight to San Diego a little earlier than non-peak periods. November to January are the best times to get a very good deal on both flights and hotels, although celebrating the New Year remains very popular in the city. If there is a major event on in the city, the prices will rise in the hotels and hostels.

Weather in San Diego is beautiful year-round. The city enjoys comfortably warm temperatures, even during the winter months. In the evenings, temperatures typically drop, so packing a light jacket is never a bad idea. Average highs range from 65 degrees in the winter to 78 degrees in the summer, making this a great escape from freezing temps or scorching ones.

Accommodation Options

San Diego has many places to lay your head, and it is very easy to get some accommodations just outside of the city center or even closer to the airport. There are hotels, hostels, and apartments within different price ranges. Since the city has very good public transportation, it is easy to get around from wherever you choose to stay. Look out for some very competitive rates, particularly during non-peak periods.

If you're a foodie, you'll find many great restaurants close to any hotel you chose to stay at, and it's very easy to eat well on a budget in San Diego. It is never difficult to find an assortment of tacos or burritos, with lobster tacos being a favorite. There are many different Asian cafes and a lot of seafood to be found everywhere in the city. It helps to look out for the happy hour specials that offer discounted meals, which you will find everywhere.

An Array of Activities

There are many things to see and to do after you arrive in San Diego, and many things can be done without spending a dime. Before you leave the airport, you might enjoy a behind-the-scenes tarmac tour to find out how an airport works. Explore the Old Town San Diego Historic Park or visit one of the city's numerous museums to get insight into the olden days.

Walking around the Gaslight Quarter, with its many historic buildings and the variety of festivals it hosts year-round, is a great way to discover more of the city. Visit Balboa Park to see the world's largest outdoor pipe organ, Spreckles Organ, and listen to free concerts every Sunday afternoon. An interesting way to explore this park is with one of the free guided tours that leaves from the visitor’s center.

Film buffs will want to visit Hotel del Coronado, where the movie "Some Like it Hot" was filmed. If the ocean waves are more your thing, enjoy the cool waters and see a lot of vibrant marine life while snorkeling at La Jolla. Surfing at San Onofre Surf Beach will keep you busy with its surf breaks. With San Diego's excellent climate, it is worth visiting the farmer's markets held regularly around town.

If you're okay dropping some money on an activity or two, sports enthusiasts will want watch a Padres game at Petco Park. Take the family to visit to the world-renowned San Diego Zoo to see the giant panda family and other animals. Another interesting excursion is to LegoLand – a vast 128-acre park. The USS Midway Museum allows you to experience what life on of America's longest serving aircraft carriers was like.

Leaving San Diego

All good things must come to an end. Vacations should be relaxed and stress-free from start to finish, so leaving San Diego needs to be as seamless as when you arrived. Take public transportation or one of the many available shuttles from your hotel or hostel back to the airport. Hotel staff are great at helping guests find a reliable, convenient, and affordable way to get back to the airport when their visit is over. Once you arrive at the airport, baggage carts are available for all passengers to make it easy to get their luggage to airline counters for check-in.

A number of airlines have lounges at San Diego International Airport for travelers to enjoy while they wait for their flight to board. Airspace Lounge & American Airlines Admirals Club is located in Terminal 2. Go through the security check and it is near Gate 22. Delta Sky Club is located in Terminal 2 on the Mezzanine Level. The USO Neil Ash Airport Center Lounge provides the military with a home away from home while traveling.

There are many flights going to San Diego, California every day. The city has many interesting and exciting things to keep you as busy or as relaxed as you want to be while you visit. Stop dreaming of the California sunshine and laid back way of life; book a flight to San Diego, California and make your dream come true.